Context:

A federal judge on Long Island criticized the Justice Department for attempting to dismiss charges against Vladimir Arévalo Chávez, a high-ranking MS-13 leader, in secret and deport him to El Salvador. This decision followed an agreement between the Trump administration and Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, which involved the U.S. paying El Salvador to house deported immigrants and returning MS-13 leaders to their home country. Judge Azrack unsealed the case, highlighting the inconsistency of the Justice Department's actions, which publicly celebrated the prosecution of MS-13 leaders while secretly dismissing charges. Concerns were raised about a potential corrupt pact between the Salvadoran government and MS-13 leaders, which the U.S. administration did not acknowledge. Judge Azrack also expressed regret over a similar decision regarding another MS-13 leader, César López Larios, who was deported after charges against him were dismissed in secret.

Dive Deeper:

• Judge Joan M. Azrack rejected the Justice Department's request to dismiss charges against MS-13 leader Vladimir Arévalo Chávez under seal, revealing the attempt to keep the case secret until his deportation to El Salvador.

• The Trump administration's agreement with Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele included the deportation of MS-13 leaders, with the U.S. paying millions to El Salvador for housing deported immigrants, and it remains unclear which leaders were included in this return.

• Judge Azrack's decision to unseal the case was based on the Justice Department's inconsistency, as they had publicly lauded their prosecution of MS-13 leaders while secretly attempting to dismiss charges against Chávez.

• There are allegations of a corrupt agreement between the Salvadoran government and MS-13 leaders, uncovered by U.S. federal prosecutors, which the Trump administration has not publicly acknowledged.

• Judge Azrack expressed regret over previously sealing proceedings related to César López Larios, another MS-13 leader, whose charges were dismissed and who was deported under similar secretive circumstances.